COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLII, Issue 9373, 31 October 1921, Page 7

COUNTY CENTRES

METHVEN. The Dairy Factory Company. The annual general meeting of the Mount Hutt Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd., was held m the Public Hall, Methven, on Friday evening. In the absence of the chairman of directors, Mr James Carr, who is indisposed, Mr J. McAnulty was voted to the chair. As the meeting vas the first general meeting of shareholders since the company first got into working order more than ordinary interest was taken m the proceedings, and m spite of most inclement weather there was a large attendance. The directors' report showed that although the company did not commence operations until the third week m January it had manufactured 128,2851 bof butter. They recommended that a dividend of 7 per cent, be declared on the subscribed capital. The report further stated that the number of suppliers had risen from 75 to 165 (at the date of the meeting it was 184), and ihat there was every prospect of a further large increase. The three retiring directors were Messrs P. C. Doherty, E.. T. Jessep, and T. Morland. The balance-sheet showed a small credit balance, and m view of the many necessary preliminary expenses this may be accounted very satisfactory. A number of interesting questions were asked, and nearly all bf them were answered by the chairman or secretary to the satisfaction of the questioners. The report and balance-sheet were unanimously adopted. I Three directors retiring, the followI ing were nominated for the position : — Messrs P. G. Doherty, C T. Jessep, T. Morland, W. C Hobbs) T. G.Me- I Anulty, R. Adams, and V. Rouse. The ballot resulted m the return of Messrs T. G. McAnulty, V. Rouse, and P. G. Doherty. On the motion of Mr Dart, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the directors for their work during the past year, and to the staff of the company. Special reference was made to the untiring energy and ability put into the work by Mr James Carr, and regret was expressed that his health prevented him from attending the meeting. Mr Cook, the manager, was also complimented on the good work he had done, his unvarying courtesy to suppliers, and his absolute fairness to all. The Dairy Industry. Later m the evening Mr H. Bliss, of Tai Tapu, gave an interesting lecture on co-operation among dairymen. He dealt m detail with the work that the dairymen's associations were doing, and expressed the opinion that all moves m aid of the dairy business must come from the dairymen themselves and not from the companies. He gave the meeting many useful hints on the subject of herd testing and the marketing of dairy produce. On the motion of the chairman, Mr Bliss was accorded a (hearty vote of thanks for coming from Ellesmere to speak to the people of this district. After the meeting all adjourned to the supper room of the hall, where the directors had provided refreshments, and a couple of hours were spent socially. Valedictory. Miss E. Campbell, who is leaving this district for Temuka, was on Tuesday last the guest of Mr and Mrs Henry Maginness, when a large number of friends assembled to meet her prior to her departure. Music and song," cards, and other games provided enjoyment for a long and happy evening. On behalf of Miss Campbell's Methven friends, Mr Maginness presented her with a very handsome leather writing case suitably engraved. Mrs W. H. D. McKee and Messrs Rule, Dart, Ayers, and others also spoke m appreciative terms of Miss Campbell's many good qualities. During the years that she has been here she has been ever forward m good works of every description, and she will be much missed by all classes of the community. Miss Campbell, who for the past five years nas been a member of the staff of Tomlinson's Emporium,* was also fare welled by the members of the staff. On behalf of the staff, Mr J. D. Tomlinson presented Miss Campbell with a leather-bound blouse case, and m doing so he conveyed the best wishes of the staff to Miss Campbell for the future. Messrs N. Carter, J. Lysaght, and Miss Pawson spoke m appreciative terms of Miss Campbell.